Q502--Perfusion Services - MPLS PoP 05/01/2026-04/30/2027 4

Amendment / Modification

This document is Amendment 0001 to Solicitation 36C26326R0003. Its primary purpose is to provide answers to questions submitted by potential offerors.

This amendment does not modify the original solicitation's hour and date for receipt of offers. It serves to clarify information through a Questions and Answers format.

Offerors are reminded to acknowledge receipt of this amendment. If an offeror wishes to change a previously submitted offer based on this amendment, they may do so via letter or electronic communication, provided it is received before the specified opening hour and date.

• Annual Case Load: Data provided in a chart format, showing case counts for 2022 (298), 2023 (352), 2024 (334), 2025 (273), and 2026 (22), with a Grand Total of 1279.
• Non-cardiac Autotransfusion Services: Required for vascular and orthopedics.
• Open-Heart Case Scheduling: Primarily Mon-Thur, but can be performed on weekends as needed for emergent cases.
• Off-Pump Procedures: Yes, with perfusion standby.
• Equipment: Heart Lung Machine (HLM) is Terumo (4 units available). Cell Saver is Catsmart. Balloon Pump is Maquet/Getinge. VA uses IStat, HMS Plus, Sat/Crit Monitor, and CDI 500.
• Set-Aside: This solicitation is set-aside exclusively for Disabled Veteran Owned businesses.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for Perfusion Services for the Minneapolis PoP (Point of Purchase) for the period of May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2027. The contracting office is the Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 23.

Specific requirements and deliverables are detailed in the attached document: 36C26326R0003 0001.

• Period of Performance: 05/01/2026 - 04/30/2027

• Contracting Office ZIP Code: 55101

• Place of Performance: 1 Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55417, USA

• Response Date/Time/Zone: 02-23-2026 10 AM Central Time, Chicago, USA

• Archive: 99 days after the response date.

• Set-Aside: SDVOSBC (Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business)

• Solicitation Number: 36C26326R0003

• Product Service Code (PSC): Q502

• NAICS Code: 621111

• Contracting Office Address: 316 Robert Street N, Suite 506, Saint Paul MN 55101

• Point of Contact: Daniel Vagts, daniel.vagts@va.gov, 651-293-3040

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for Perfusion Services to be provided on-site, on-call, and call-back at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. The services are for eligible beneficiaries of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

• Provision of Perfusion Services by Board Certified Key Personnel.

• Minimum of three (3) key personnel required, credentialed and available for scheduling.

• Services must meet or exceed currently recognized national standards as established by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion.

• On-site coverage required 52 weeks per year, Monday-Friday, excluding Federal Holidays.

• On-call coverage is required 7 days a week, 52 weeks per year.

• Personnel must be proficient in English and possess specific technical skills and knowledge related to cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, equipment, and procedures.

• Compliance with all applicable VA policies, directives, and handbooks.

• Adherence to specific infection control measures, including testing for Tuberculosis, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, and Influenza.

• Personnel must have current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification; Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) is desirable.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price (FFP).

• Period of Performance: Base Period: May 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027. Includes four (4) available option periods.

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated in the provided sections.

• Proposals are to be submitted electronically via email to Daniel.vagts@va.gov.

• Offerors must submit proposals in three parts: Technical Proposal, Past Performance, and Price Proposal.

• Key submission deadlines include: Questions due by February 9, 2026. Offer due date is February 23, 2026, at 10 AM CST.

• Evaluation will be based on Technical Capability (Qualifications of Personnel, Experience, Clinical Skills, Management Capabilities) and Past Performance, with Technical Capability being of primary importance. Price will be considered as a factor in determining the best value.

• This acquisition is a small business set-aside.

• NAICS Code: 621111

• Size Standard: Not explicitly stated, but implied to be for small businesses.

• The solicitation includes numerous FAR and VAAR clauses covering contract administration, security, privacy, records management, and other requirements.

• Specific details regarding invoicing and payment are provided, including electronic submission requirements.

• The contract includes provisions for options to extend services and the term of the contract.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Past Performance Questionnaire (Attachment 5) provided by Network Contracting Office 23, St. Paul, Minnesota. It is intended to gather information from providers of past performance to evaluate quotes received for Perfusion Services for Minneapolis, MN. Section A is to be completed by the contractor, authorizing the release of information to NCO23. Section B is to be completed by the respondent providing the past performance feedback.

• Section A (Contractor Information): Collects details about the prospective government contractor, including name, contact information, contract number, description of services, award date/amount, and period of performance. It also includes an authorization for release of information.
• Section B (Respondent Information): Collects information about the respondent, including their signature, name, title, organization, and contact details.
• Rating Scale: Provides definitions for performance ratings (Exceptional, Very Good, Satisfactory, Marginal, Unsatisfactory, Neutral) to be used when assessing the contractor's performance.
• Evaluation Areas: The questionnaire assesses Quality of Service, Schedule, and Business Relations, with specific questions and rating options for each.
• Future Award Consideration: Includes a question asking how the respondent would feel about awarding another contract to the contractor.

This questionnaire is critical for bidders as it directly impacts the evaluation of their past performance. Bidders should ensure that the information provided in Section A is accurate and that they encourage their past performance references to complete Section B thoroughly and by the deadline. The ratings and comments provided in this survey will be used by the government to evaluate the contractor's suitability for the opportunity.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) that outlines the systematic method the government will use to evaluate contractor performance for the stated contract. It details what will be monitored, how monitoring will occur, who will conduct it, and how results will be documented. This QASP is a "living document" and may be revised.

• Government Roles: Defines responsibilities for the Contracting Officer (CO) and Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).
• Contractor Representatives: Identifies the contractor's program manager(s).
• Performance Standards: Outlines how contractor performance will be measured against contract terms and desired services.
• Methods of QA Surveillance: Lists methods such as direct observation, periodic inspection, user complaints, random sampling, and contractor-provided verification.
• CPARS Ratings: Explains the rating system (Exceptional, Very Good, Satisfactory, Marginal, Unsatisfactory) used for performance assessment.
• Documenting Performance: Details the process for documenting performance, including the use of Contract Discrepancy Reports (CDRs) for performance issues.
• Frequency of Measurement & Reporting: Specifies how often performance will be measured and reported quarterly to the CO.
• Acknowledgement: Includes sections for COR and contractor acknowledgement of the QASP.
• Forms: Includes sample forms for Contract Discrepancy Reports and Contract Reports.

This QASP is crucial for bidders as it defines the performance standards and evaluation criteria that will be used to assess their performance if awarded the contract. Understanding these requirements will help bidders prepare more competitive proposals and ensure they meet the government's quality expectations.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Contractor Rules of Behavior," is an attachment (Appendix D) to VA Handbook 6500.6. It outlines the terms and conditions for contractors accessing and using Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) information assets, resources, and systems. It serves as a User Agreement that contractors must acknowledge and accept.

• General Terms and Conditions: Covers understanding of no expectation of privacy, consent to monitoring and reviews by VA personnel (OI&T, OIG, administrators, security officers), and acknowledgment that unauthorized access or misuse of Federal Government systems is prohibited and subject to penalties.
• General Rules of Behavior: Establishes standards for contractor conduct regarding information security. This includes following procedures for account access, using only authorized systems and software, not using personal equipment for sensitive VA information without a waiver, not exploiting system access for personal gain, not overriding security controls, and limiting use of systems and information strictly to contract performance.
• Specific Prohibitions: Details rules against unauthorized disclosure of VA sensitive information, hosting unauthorized servers, misusing government property, and using unauthorized anti-virus or security software.
• Additional Conditions: Outlines requirements for connecting to the VA network, restrictions on remote access from public computers, and rules regarding dual network connections.
• Subcontracting: States that subcontractors must adhere to the same security requirements.
• Acknowledgement and Acceptance: Requires contractors to sign and return the document, acknowledging receipt and acceptance of all terms and conditions.

Potential bidders must understand that if awarded a contract, they and their personnel will be required to comply with these rules of behavior. This document details the security and privacy obligations related to accessing and using VA information systems and data, which is critical for understanding the operational environment and compliance requirements of the contract.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "D.2 Attachment 2 - Organizational Conflict of Interest," provides the mandatory provision VAAR 852.209-70 regarding Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI) for healthcare contracts. It also includes Appendix A, a "Contractor Conflict of Interest Certification Statement" form that offerors must complete and submit with their proposals.

• VAAR 852.209-70: Outlines the government's interest in avoiding situations that create an OCI or provide an unfair competitive advantage. It defines OCI and requires offerors to disclose any relevant past, present, or planned interests (financial, contractual, organizational, etc.) related to the services. It also specifies that nondisclosure or misrepresentation may lead to contract termination.
• Appendix A (Certification Statement): This form requires the contractor to certify:
  • That listed key personnel and temporary emergency substitutions have no present or planned OCI related to the services for the Minneapolis VA Health Care System.
  • That none of the employees listed have past OCI related to these services.
  • OR, provides an option to attach a detailed statement describing any relevant facts concerning past, present, or planned interests, including information for consultants and subcontractors, and how potential OCIs would be avoided or mitigated.

Offerors must carefully review the OCI provision and complete the certification statement accurately. Failure to disclose or properly address potential organizational conflicts of interest could result in disqualification from award or contract termination. This document is critical for ensuring compliance and a successful proposal submission.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "Contractor Certification: Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, As Amended." It requires the contractor to certify compliance with all legal provisions related to the Immigration and Nationality Act, as enforced by Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the U.S. Department of Labor, specifically concerning non-immigrant foreign nationals working under contract for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) while providing services to VA patient referrals.

• Certification of Compliance: The contractor must certify they will not knowingly employ, contract, or subcontract with an illegal alien or a foreign national non-immigrant who is in violation of their status.
• E-Verify Requirement: Compliance with "Executive Order 12989" and related amendments, as well as applicable Federal Acquisition Regulations, is mandatory.
• Consequences of Non-Compliance: Failure to comply may result in the prohibition of the foreign national from working on VA contracts and may form the basis for contract termination.
• Subcontractor Requirement: The contractor must obtain a similar certification from their subcontractors.
• Signature Block: Includes fields for Signature, Date, Printed Name, Title, and Company Name.
• Prosecution Warning: States that making a false certification may lead to prosecution under 18 U.S.C. 1001.

Bidders must understand and be prepared to complete and submit this certification as part of their contractual obligations if awarded an opportunity that involves employing foreign nationals for services to the VA. It highlights specific legal and regulatory compliance requirements related to immigration and employment.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for Perfusion Services for the Minneapolis (MPLS) Pop, with a period of performance from 05/01/2026 to 04/30/2027. The contracting office is Network Contracting Office 23, located in Saint Paul, MN.

Specific requirements are detailed in attached documents, including:

• D.1 Attachment 1 - Immigration and Nationality Act Requirement

• D.2 Attachment 2 - Organizational Conflict of Interest

• D.3 Attachment 3 - Contractor Rules of Behavior

• D.4 Attachment 4 - Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan

• D.5 Attachment 5 - Past Performance Questionnaire

• Period of Performance: 05/01/2026 - 04/30/2027

• Place of Performance: One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA

• Response Date/Time/Zone: 02-23-2026 10AM CENTRAL TIME, CHICAGO, USA

• The full solicitation details are in the attached document: 36C26326R0003.

• Set-Aside: SDVOSBC (Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business)

• Solicitation Number: 36C26326R0003

• Product Service Code: Q502

• NAICS Code: 621111

• Point of Contact: Daniel Vagts, Contract Officer (daniel.vagts@va.gov, 651-293-3040)